Weapons Are Prohibited on Campus
California State University
Police Department
Fresno State Police Department
What is a weapon?
Weapons Related Laws
A weapon is basically anything somebody could use to hurt or
harm somebody else. Weapons could be any of the following:
• a knife
• a gun
• pepper spray
• your own hands
• your feet
• any available object that could be used to hurt somebody
else
626.9 (i) California Penal Code
Any person who brings or possesses a firearm upon the grounds of a
public university, or any property owned or operated by the public
university, without written permission is subject to felony arrest,
prosecution, and imprisonment for one, two, or three years. Up to four
years for a loaded firearm, 626.9 (h).
What kind of weapon can’t I bring to school?
Most weapons are not permitted on campus. This list is just a few
examples to give you an idea.
• any knife with a fixed blade longer than 2 ½ inches,
switchblade, butterfly knife, belt buckle knife, dirk,
dagger, cane sword, pen knife, lipstick knife, or any knife
that opens automatically or has more than one sharp edge
• any gun without written permission and in accordance
with California Penal Code
• nunchaku
• metal knuckles
• any concealed weapon (hidden from plain sight)
When can I have a weapon?
Some self-defense weapons can be carried on campus within legal
limits. i. e.: You can have pepper spray as long as it is for selfdefense, not larger than 2.5oz. and has a “Warning” label.
What about if you have a knife?
You can have a pocket knife, as long as it does not open
automatically and has only one sharp edge.
What happens if I am found in possession of a
weapon on Campus?
The punishment for having weapons on campus changes with
different kinds of weapons. Punishments can be either or both
fine and imprisonment. For further information regarding
weapons on campus, contact the Fresno State Police Department
at 559.278.8400.
Note: There are special circumstances when a firearm may be authorized on
campus. Some examples include for use by ROTC, theatrical performances,
movie shoots, class instruction, etc. Written authorization to possess a
firearm on campus must be obtained through the Fresno State Police
Department. Contact the Patrol Operations Lieutenant at 559.278.8400 for
further information. While this requirement does not apply to law
enforcement personnel, it is highly recommended that for the safety of all
our department be notified when armed officers are going to be on campus.
For further information on California Laws:
http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes.xhtml
626.10 (b) California Penal Code
Any person who brings or possesses any dirk, dagger, ice pick, or knife
having a fixed blade longer than 2 ½ inches upon the grounds of the
California State University is guilty of a public offense, punishable by
imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year, or as a felony
imprisonment for one or two years.
16590 California Penal Code
The possession of many weapons is prohibited, including: undetectable
firearm, cane gun, wallet gun, zip gun, belt buckle knife, blackjack, billy,
nunchaku, shuriken, metal knuckles, sandbag, sandclub, sap, and
slungshot. Violations are punishable by imprisonment in county jail or in
the state prison.
21510 California Penal Code
It is a misdemeanor to carry upon the person, or in the passenger or
driver’s area of a motor vehicle, a switch blade knife having a blade two
or more inches in length.
417 (a)(2) California Penal Code
Any person who exhibits a firearm or any deadly weapon in a rude, angry,
or threatening manner, or who in any manner, unlawfully uses the same
in any fight or quarrel is subject to prosecution and imprisonment in
accordance with the specific subsections of this law.
244.5 (b) California Penal Code
Every person who commits an assault upon the person of another with a
stun gun or less lethal weapon shall be punished by imprisonment in a
county jail for a term not exceeding one year, or by imprisonment for 16
months, two, or three years.
245 (a)(1) California Penal Code
Any person who commits an assault upon the person of another with a
firearm or deadly weapon shall be punished by imprisonment in the state
prison for two, three, or four years. An assault with a semiautomatic
firearm is punishable up to nine years in state prison.
417.25 (a) California Penal Code
Every person who aims or points a laser scope or a laser pointer at
another person in a threatening manner with the specific intent to cause
a reasonable person fear or bodily harm is guilty of a misdemeanor,
punishable by imprisonment in a county jail for up to 30 days.
417.4 California Penal Code
Every person who draws or exhibits an imitation firearm in a threatening
manner against another in such a way as to cause a reasonable person
apprehension or fear of bodily harm is guilty of a misdemeanor
punishable by imprisonment in a county jail for a term of not less than 30
days.
626.10 (i) California Penal Code
Any person who, without written permission, brings or possesses a less
lethal weapon or a stun gun upon the grounds of a university campus is
guilty of a misdemeanor.